Spirituality and the memorialisation of the dead of the Durban concentration camps during the South African war (1899-1902) – a micro history

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

Authors

Wassermann, Johannes Michiel

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Institute for Afro-Hellenic Studies

Abstract

In this article, the spirituality and the memorialisation of the dead of the Durban Concentration Camps during the South African War (1899-1902) are analysed diachronically. As a study in micro-history, primary and secondary sources were used. Four clear memorialisation events were recognised: external British Imperial memorisation by means of obelisks that spiritually honoured Empire; Afrikaner Christian Nationalist memorisation that celebrated symbolic victory over the British Empire; rededication of the memorials in the inclusive spirit of the ‘new’ South Africa; and the partial abandonment of physical memorisation for remembering and honouring the dead in a virtual world. Each of these events offered its own seen and unseen forms of spirituality and understanding.

Description

Keywords

South African War, Concentration camps, Spirituality, Memorialisation, Micro history

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Wassermann, J. 2021, 'Spirituality and the memorialisation of the dead of the Durban concentration camps during the South African war (1899-1902) – a micro history', Pharos Journal of Theology, vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 1-11, doi : 10.46222/pharosjot.102.118.